Pocket / Compact Handgun Comparisons

I get a lot of questions during training about what is the best compact handgun for CCW. The truth is there are a lot of quality firearms in this category now but what is best depends on, well, you. That’s not a dodge; it’s an inconvenient fact. Sure as I say Brand X in a certain caliber or millimeter is best someone will try it and find it lacking in some regard based on their hand size, their concealment method, or ability to shoot well.

I’ve compiled some basic measurements on a sampling of popular models, not necessarily recommending any of them but to help compare apples to apples and so on.

I also did the math for you using the Reed Ergo-Power Ratio tool figuring the Section A and B for each of them. Don’t know what that means? Hey, go read the article on this site called Reed Ergo-Power Ratio Tool. Okay, for now I’ll bail you out a little. Section A is caliber, scoring your handgun 1-5 favoring major calibers. A 45 is 5, a 40 is 4, etc. Section B is capacity favoring higher capacity and thus balancing A out by favoring smaller bores. C and D are shooting sections to assess your Recoil Management and Practical Accuracy. Score your weapon in these four sections for up to 20 points.

Here are some compact handgun stats including the REPR tool A and B scores.

9/40 Subcompacts

Model

BBL”

Cal

Mag Cap

Width / Height / Length

Empty Weight Oz

REPR A/B

M&P Shield

3.1

9/40

8/7

0.95x 4.6x 6.1

19.0

3/ 4(9) & 4/3(40)

Glock G26/27

3.46

9/40

10/9

1.18x 4.17x 6.29

21.7

3/ 4(9) & 4/4(40)

Beretta Nano

3.07

9

6

0.90x 4.17x 5.63

17.7

3/ 3

Kahr PM 9/40

3.1

9/40

7/6

0.94x 4.0x 5.47

14/15.8

3/ 3(9) & 4/3(40)

Ruger LC9

3.12

9

7

0.90x 4.5x 6.0

17.1

3/ 3

Keltec PF-9

3.1

9

7

0.88x 4.3x 5.85

12.7

3/ 3

Springfield XDS

3.3

9/45

7/5

1.0x 4.4x 6.3

23/21

3/3(9) & 5/2(45)

380 Subcompacts

Model

BBL”

Cal

Mag Cap

Width / Height / Length

Empty Weight Oz

REPR A/B

Kahr CW380

2.58

380

6

0.75x 3.9x 4.96

10.2

2/3

Glock G42

3.25

380

6

0.94x 4.13x 5.94

13.76

2/3

Walther PPK

3.3

380

6

1.2x 4.3x 6.1

23.5

2/3

Ruger LCP

2.75

380

6

0.82x 3.6x 5.16

9.4

2/3

Keltec P-3AT

2.7

380

6

0.77x 3.5x 5.2

8.3

2/3

38 Special Compact Revolvers

Model

BBL”

Cal

Mag Cap

Width / Height / Length

Empty Weight Oz

REPR A/B

S&W 6/442 Centennial

1.8

38+P

5

1.3x 4.2x 6.31

15.0

3/ 2

S&W 638 Bodyguard

1.8

38+P

5

1.3x 4.2x 6.31

15.2

3/ 2

Ruger LCR

1.87

38+P

5

1.28x 4.5x 6.38

13.5

3/ 2

Ruger SP101

2.25

38+P

5

1.35x 4.5x 7.2

26.0

3/ 2

Now, before anyone sounds off that a 38+P S&W Snubbie scores the same as a Kel Tec 380, remember this is just half the formula and actually shooting the gun and ammo to be used comes next. In Section C you measure Recoil Management by firing a quick pair into a 3×5” index card at 7 yards. Not so simple with a micro, bump-sighted, no handled, featherweight wallet gun, eh? Fired in two seconds or less from the ready with good solid hits grants you a ‘5’ in this section, within 3 seconds a ‘4’ and so on.

Section D is Practical Accuracy measured by firing 5 slow, aimed shots into another 3×5” index card from the seven with a maximum time limit of 15 seconds or only 3 seconds per shot. No pausing five seconds during the string. Firing faster is okay but no slower than 3 seconds per, or over 15 seconds total. All shots have to be fully in. Score a ‘5’ for 5 shots, a ‘4’ for 4, and so on.

This ratio tool evens the playing field but it of course is up to you to fairly score yourself. Also, there is no defined minimum score. You have to do the risk analysis and decide for yourself (and your family) how low do you go before not trusting a specific weapon and ammo to be accurate enough, powerful enough, or fast enough for personal defense. Obviously training can mean a difference upward but age and injury can also move the scores downward. Repeat often.

It’s a toy, but hopefully useful. Let me hear back from you.

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David “DC” Reed is a US government, civilian law enforcement, and NRA
certified multi-weapons and tactics instructor. Over the years he has
conducted basic through advanced training courses across the US and in
select countries as a former private contractor and on behalf of the
military. He works with private industry, military, law enforcement and has
a 20 year background with SRT/SWAT. He has been a Missouri and Tennessee
P.O.S.T. certified Instructor in Firearms, Special Tactics, Sniper, CCW, and
Use of Force for more than thirty years.

DC currently holds a Missouri Class ‘A’ police commission and is a reserve
peace officer in Missouri. He is a graduate of several military and LE
training courses as well as notable civilian training such as Thunder Ranch,
ATC, Action Targets, Surefire Institute, and Gunsite among others. He is a
member of International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association
(ILEETA), the NRA (Life member, current certified Firearms and Sniper
instructor), National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO), and
other professional organizations – as well as life member of the Big Piney
Sportsman’s Club near Houston, MO.

DC has committed his life to training people on the proper and effective use
of firearms. He firmly believes that this training results in a safer world
and fewer lost lives.

Yes, over the years Smith has used the “Bodyguard” moniker (like the “Chief’s Special” name) to describe more than one handgun. The name represents small, compact, lightweight personal defense weapons. I too have an old S&W Model 38 Bodyguard revolver with the shrouded hammer and air weight frame. It’s a great personal defense weapon.

The newest Bodyguards are 380 semi autos and are certainly in this niche.

Allan, I have years of experience with the SIG pistols. I have handled but not shot the very versatile P250. It feels better than other SIGs and I have read absolutely no complaints about its reliability or accuracy – exactly what you’d expect from a SIG.

My one critique is that its magazines seem overpriced and are not compatible with other SIGs.

Hello, I have a Sig Sauer P250 subcompact .40 and I am curious if you have any information on this firearm. For example, reviews on reliability, any problems, etc. Any information would be appreciated.

I have to SIG 250 .40 compact and the problem I’ve been finding is it shoots low at 20 yards. I’ve been asked why I shoot so far and that’s to try to help with control. I’m only 5’6″. I even had a friend shoot it and he shoots low as well. Any suggestions?

Loren, without watching you grip and shoot your SIG it’s hard to say precisely. Feel free to do a short cell phone video and send to us!
That said a few common problems that cause low shots would be grip, trigger control, and front sight focus.
First for grip, ensure you are gripping your SIG high on the back strap. Have someone watch you naturally grip you pistol and look for a gap between the web of your firing hand and the top most part of the grip. Obviously don’t hold it so high the slide bites you during cycling!
Next, (and this likely is the answer) ensure you are not jerking or snapping the trigger. Good trigger control means pressing the trigger slowly and constantly to the rear until the action breaks, then holding the trigger to the rear for a beat after the discharge. Say, “Trigger,” out loud before releasing it just to the reset point (see our trigger control videos elsewhere on this site.)
Finally improper front sight focus can cause low shots. Here’s how, right at the point the gun discharges ensure you are staring at the front sight and keep that focus through the recoil. This is how to avoid flinching as well.
I find a great number of my in person students, without realizing it, shift their focus to the target as the gun discharges. They, subconsciously, want to see the round impact the target. What this means is there is one alignment on target as they start their trigger press, then they look at the target just as the action breaks and the sights drop about 1/4 – 3/4″ as they look OVER their sights. Bang, a low shot.
Hopefully all this helps.

I Understand that not all firearms can be compared because there are so many to choose from. But I feel that other firearms to be compared when looking at the pocket pistols would be the Sig P238 and P938. The P238 being the slightly smaller of the two in a 380 ACP and the P938 slightly larger in a 9mm. These two firearms are both small enough to fit many pockets like the KeTec, Bodyguard and LCP, so they can fall into the group as a true pocket pistol. They are both very accurate and also have a greatly decreased perceived recoil in comparison. This makes them a lot of fun at the range and you can actually shoot magazine after magazine and want to shoot more.

David, my father gifted a Walther PPK/S .380 Auto to me when I mentioned that I was interested in getting my CCW. It is in excellent shape and is an earlier stainless Interarms-produced model (without the longer dovetail). I have yet to shoot the weapon, but I was wondering if there are any gotchas with this version?

Hi Kevin, I own a couple of Walthers and I actually like the Interarms versions. Assuming your version is in good shape and you have good, reliable mags I see no reason why not shoot it!
The main complaints with Walthers is that they are heavy and large given modern 380″s available and have long too gritty and heavy triggers. So you decide if your sample falls into this stereotype. Also depending on your hand size, some get some slide bite when shooting PPKs.
I’d ensure you use a good quality gun grease (not oil) on the slide rails and run a couple boxes of your carry ammo through it to ensure solid functioning before carrying for personal defense.

If you can get solid hits with it(See The REPR Drill on this site) The Interterms Walthers are fine.Or keep it for a cherished heirloom and shoot it occasionally while carrying something else. Thanks for writing!